Leaders in Ghana’s digital technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem are urging President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise the appointment of seasoned professionals with deep entrepreneurial expertise to head the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovations and other relevant government agencies.
These agencies play a pivotal role in promoting the country’s digital agenda, supporting startups, and stimulating innovation-driven growth.
This appeal follows the President’s re-election and highlights the need for officials who genuinely understand the entrepreneurial journey and can advocate effectively for policy frameworks that encourage innovation.
According to Solomon Adjei, President of Association of Ghana Startups; Sherif Ghali , Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs; and Yaw Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of Ghana Hubs Network, who signed the press release, too many public institutions meant to nurture entrepreneurs instead demonstrate an “extractive and apathetic” approach.
They believe this attitude dissuades prospective innovators from pursuing new ventures.
Collaboration, Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership
The group emphasises that leaders with collaborative and first hand entrepreneurial and innovation experience or a proven track record in working in these sectors are best equipped to design and implement policies that foster, skills building, job creation and economic growth.
They urged that the President appoint individuals who have navigated the challenges in these sectors themselves.
Such officials, they argue, will serve not just as administrators but as advocates whose passion will galvanize stakeholders and drive meaningful, long-term economic development.
Key Recommendations
The ecosystem players outlined specific recommendations to ensure impactful leadership:
- Appoint a proven digital transformation and innovation champion: Select a Minister of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovations with extensive knowledge of global tech trends and the ability to customize them for Ghana’s needs.
- Fill leadership roles in key agencies with seasoned ecosystem players: Ensure that experienced entrepreneurs or ecosystem enablers lead the National Entrepreneurship and Innovations Program (NEIP), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), and Ghana Digital Centers Ltd (Accra Digital Center).
- Develop a comprehensive startup strategy: Work closely with industry and ecosystem partners to craft and implement forward-thinking strategies that empower startups, create jobs, and accelerate local and national economic development.
- Develop a Strategy for skills building aimed at developing requisite digital, business and tech skills. Empowered young people through such a strategy can be linked to jobs locally and abroad. Skills and solutions developed through this program can support efforts at addressing economic and development challenges leveraging digital and tech innovations.
The Association of Ghana Startups works to enhance startup survival and growth through capacity building, access to finance, global markets, and policy advocacy.
The Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs champions policies and programmes that support young business owners, while the Ghana Hubs Network serves as a central body for over 75 technology and innovation hubs across the country.
